Bowling pin spotting and respotting machine



March 28, 1961 T. FLINT ETAL 2,977,121

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet l FIGI INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT JOHN M. FLUKE ATTORNEY March 28, 1961 T. FLINT ETAL 2,977,121

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 l Shee se 2 INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT OHN M. FLUKE BY ATTORNEY FIG.2

March 28, 1961 -r ETAL 2,977,121

BOWLING PIN SPOTITING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 3 234 FIG-4 I 252 DA 1 wig 232 230 l l\|'|.l]| [Hhf 38 23. n l "'1 i I \l 1 5 i i INVENTOR v THOMAS FLINT 2/6 %06 I I l W Y JOHN M. FLUKE '4 I r 2M '3'. y-14..

ATTORNEY March 28, 1961 T. FLINT ETAL 2,977,121

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 194 I n 192 f 86 INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT JOHN M. FLUKE ATTORNEY 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT JOHN M FLUKE 4 0 A... ATI'QRNEY T. FLINT ET AL m b 1 2 E a; .2 j: m

March 28, 1961 BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 March 28, 1961 -r ETAL 2,977,121

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT Y JOHN M- FLUKE aw/91 ATTORNEY March 28, 1961 T. FLINT ET AL 2,977,121

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT JOHN M. FLUKE ATTOR EY March 28, 1961 T. FLINT ET AL BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT JOHN M. FLUKE ATTORNE March 28, 1961 T. FLINT ET AL 2,977,121

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 FIG. I5

INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT JOHN M. FLUKE ATTORN March 28, 1961 1-. FLINT ETAL BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet 10 Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT Y JOHN M- FLUKE ATTORN Y m? wwv March 1961 T. FLINT ET AL 2,977,121

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENTOR THOMAS FLINT JOHN M- FLUKE ATTORNE March 28, 1961 T 2,977,121

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. l2, 1948 6 Sheetseet 1 INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT BY JOHN M. FLUKE Ari OR EY March 28, 1961 F| |NT ETAL 2,977,121

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed NOV. 12, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 13 556" 34? t 342 340 O F I G. 0 0

I gy 6/5 l I 0 550 II 342 620\\ K 43 l wk INVENTOR 4 THOMAS FLINT JOHN M. FLUKE ATTORNEY March 28, 1961 1'. FLINT ET AL 2,977,121

BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 336 I INVENTOR 414/ M m mm. m; 154 4 46; 520 4 ATTORNEY March 28, 1961 T. FLINT ET AL BOWLING PIN SPOTT ING :AND =RESROTTING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT JOHN M. FLUKE Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 ATTORNEY March 28, 1961 T. FLINT ETAL BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 Original Filed Nov. 12, 1948 INVENTOR THOMAS FLINT JOHN M. FLUKE ATTORNE United States Patent BOWLING PIN SPOTTING AND RESPOTTING MACHINE Thomas Flint, Concord, Mass, and John M. Fluke, I

Seattle, Wash., assignors to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey 8 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention relates to bowling pin spotting machines but more particularly to improvements in mechanisms for distributing and triangularizing pins and mechanisms associated therewith for spotting a set of pins in triangular playing formation on the playing bed of a bowling alley and for respotting pins in their substantially exact on or off-spot positions in order that the play of the game may proceed from frame to frame in the same manner as it would if bowling pins were spotted and respottcdmanually by a pin boy.

This invention relates generally to automatic bowling pin spotting machines, such for example as the types shown in Rundell Patents 2,388,707 and 2,388,709 issued November 13, 1945 in which bowling pins fall or are delivered into the pit of a bowling alley, and are lifted therefrom and conveyed to mechanisms which distribute the pins and transfer them into devices which at the proper time spot them in playing positions on the bed of a bowling alley. While reference is made to machines such as shown in the above referred to Rundell patents, it is to be understood that the structure of the present invention is not limited to this type of machine, but can be readily adapted for use in other types of automatic bowling pin spotting machines if desired.-

This application constitutes a division of our co-pending application Ser. No. 59,706, filed November 12, 1948, and now Patent No. 2,736,554, for Bowling Pin Spotting Machine.

The present invention is designed to overcome difficulties heretofore experienced in bowling pin spotting machines, particularly with respect to the orientation, distribution and triangularizing of pins, usually in sets of ten, as is common in a game of tenpins. By means of mechanisms provided by thisinvention, bowling pins are subjected to less wear and tear. Their orientation and distribution are effected rapidly and they are' delivered into triangularly arranged spotting elements in a bowling p-in spotting device for placement in proper playing arrangement on the playingbed of an alley.

The structure comprising the invention is relatively simple in construction and operation; it makes possible the rapid spotting and respotting of pins in desired on or oil-spot positions on a bowling alley in a minimum of time and with great accuracy.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved automatic mechanismfor orienting, distributing and bed of a bowling alley.

allows the machine to handle a wide range of pin sizes,

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved structure for arranging a plurality. of bowling pins, handle end upward, and in a generally triangular arrangement in a distributing device which-is operative to deliver all of the pins carried thereby into'a spotting device in proper triangulararrangementffor,delivery to the bed of a bowling alley. I j 1 r 1 It is a further object of theinvention to provide improved bowling pin distributing and spotting and respotting 2,977,121 Patented Mar. 28, "19861 2. tion of pins in prearranged order and their more accurate placement in the desired triangular arrangement on the playing bed of a bowling alley.

The invention is further characterized by improved pin distributing mechanism consisting of an intermittently movable carrier provided with ten generally triangularly arranged pin supporting cups, and means for controlling sequential movement of bowling pins into these cups.

The invention is further characterized by the provision of an improved pin distributing mechanism consisting of a carrier having ten generally triangularly arranged bowling pin receiving elements or cups, each of which supports a pin with its butt end positioned downwardly and a member cooperating with the carrier for maintaining all pins' in the elements only until such pins are automatically delivered by relative movement between the carrier and member into a pin supporting device for placement on the playing bed of a bowling alley. I

The invention also provides spotting mechanism and respotting mechanism which are both assembled on a table adapted to be moved vertically to and from a pin receiving position adjacent the distributing mechanism,

and the pin spotting and respotting positions relative to a bowling alley. The spotting and respotting mechanisms are so arranged on the table that they operate from one side thereof and thereby cooperatively with an electromechanical latching mechanism make it possible to use a simple vertical up and down movement in order to effect the two independent operations of spotting and respotting bowling pins on the pin supporting bed of a bowling alley. The invention also includes improved mechanismand control devices for operating the spotting and respotting mechanisms at the proper, time'in response to the movement of the table to. pin-spotting and respotting positions relative to the alley. v

the fact that all pins are supported by partly open doors within which the pins are supported and guided and'come to rest thereon in accordance with their diameters for proper delivery to the bowling alley. This construction which may vary lengthwise and transversely. i In this manner the machine is equally efiective in spotting. first quality or league bowling pins, or worn fpins, such as generally used in open play, which may have been turned down and shortenedor repaired in order to prolong their life. 1

The invention further. consistsiin the provision of a j bowling pin spotting and respotting" table which is so designe drthat it can be locafed very close to the alleygbed' in order that pins to be spotted are held under positive control of the spotting members until they practically touch the table; In this way applicants insure maxii'nurn accuracy in spotting with a minimum of noise, as compared with prior bowling pin spotting machines in which pins are dropped a considerable distance "aftentheir reg lease from their supporting means-in thejspotting table. 7 According to applicants c on'struction,' the release-'of'pins "j to be spotted and respottedelfected easily and 'rela' tively-slowly because ofthe provision of a driving crank arm which swings crosswise. as the table'is lowere'd to .wards the alleyimparting substantially a simple harmonic motion to the table thus reducing the lowering speed of.. I the vertical traveloffthe'table and insuringjthat pins-to I n u 1h; V

he ro v mechanism which makes possible a more'rapiddistribm o:- regents, w'i tberls see all y.

The invention is further characterized by the provision of a simplified control in which there is provided mechanism, such as -latchtype relays, which render the operation of the machine unaffected by power failures. These latch relays are not atfected by power failure since they are mechanically held in the position they were last caused to take making the machine thereby able to continue its full natural operative cycle from the point of interruption when power is again restored in order to complete a full operating cycle. This is particularly eifective in all circuits requiring memory functions because in circuits using simple relays which are de-energized when power fails, such circuits are broken as the relays fall out, thus causing the loss of sequence control. This situation cannot obtain with the control mechanism disclosed herein.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists of certain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the bowling pin setting machine showing the pin distributor in conjunction with the pin spotter and respotter table,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine showing the pin distributor and its driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism for the pin spotter table,

Figure 3 is a detailed plan view showing the gear box and electrical cam switch controls of the pin distributor,

Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the same,

Figure 5 is a detailed rear elevation of the distributor clutch control mechanisms as seen from 5 -5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a plan view of the same, taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a detailed plan view of the pin'distributor in conjunction with a pin supplying conveyor,

Figure 8 is a sectional side elevation of the pin supplying conveyor taken on line 88 of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a sectional side elevation, taken on line 99 of Figure 7, illustrating in detail the stop arrangement between the pin funnels and pin supporting member of the pin distributor,

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the electrically controlled arresting mechanism for the pin supporting memberof the distributor, taken on line Iii-10 of Figure 7,

Figure 11 is a sectional side elevation of the pin distributor, taken on line lib-ll of Figure 7,

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the pin setter table control mechanism taken on line 1212 of Figure 2,

Figure 13 is an isometric'front elevationof the number distributor funnel illustrating in detail the trap door operating mechanism. and spider latch, I

Figure 13A is an isometric view ofthe spider locking mechanism during its unlatching action,

Figure14is a plan view of the pin spotting-respotting table,

Figure 15 is a plan view of a single cell or spottingrespotting unit,

Figure 16 is an isometric bottom vview of the table illustrating the respotting or pin gripper mechanisms during nin gripping action, 3

Figure 17 is a side elevation,-,partly in section, of 'a single spotting-respotting unitfof thetable,

Figure 18 is a sectional end elevation of the same, taken on line 18--18 of Figure 17,

Figure l9;is a detailed side elevation of the pin gripper control mechanism, )7

Figure 21- is an enlarged detailed side elevation of the cam control mechanism for the same,

Figure 22 is a partial end elevation of the pin gripper linkage construction,

Figure 23 is a detailed sectional end elevation of a single unit of pin grippers taken on line 23-23 of Figure 18, and

Figure 24 is a wiring diagram showing a preferred systent for controlling the operation of the several coacting mechanisms.

The u'iechanism constituting the present invention is particularly adapted for use with the bowling pin setting machine structure disclosed in copending application S.N. 34,695 filed June 23, 1948 by Henry W. Phillips for Bowling Pin Setting Machines, now Patent No. 2,686,053. As disclosed in the Phillips application, bowling pins are removed from the pit of a bowling alley and delivered to pin conveying mechanism which conveys them to distributing mechanism forming a part of the invention.

PIN DISTREBUTING MECHANISM Referring to Figures 1,2, 7 and 8, there is shown a distributor designated generally D arranged above the pin spotting and respotting table T. Bowling pins to be distributed are delivered one by one in succession from a suitable source, such as shown in the Phillips application hereinabove referred to, in such manner that they are free to fall one by one into distributor D at a selected point or station. A preferred means for delivering pins in succession to distributor D consists of spaced endless driven belts 50 which run on spaced pulleys 52 secured to driven shaft 51 journaled in spaced brackets 49 secured to the frame of the machine.

Belts 50 are spaced apart a distance sufiicient to allow them to engage the body of a pin and move it forwardly from the back end of the machine (not shown) to a point of discharge adjacent one of the cups C of distributor D.

' Each pin delivered to distributor D is engaged by the Figure 19A isa sectio nal plan View online Figure 20 is a detailed side elevation of the mechanism for placing new sets of pins on the alley,

upper runs of belts 50 approximately at its point of maximum diameter and carried forwardly from the rear of the machine towards distributor D. As each pin travels forwardly, due to the manner in which it is engaged by belts 50, its head end usually depends downwardly. However, in order to insure that each pin will be delivered butt end forward, there is provided between the upper runs of belts 50, as shown in Figure 8, and therebelow, a guiding and positioningplate 54. As each pin is conveyed by the upper runs of belts 50, the head end thereof rests on and is supported by plate 54 so that it is properly arranged or oriented for delivery from belts 5t) into a cup C of distributor D.

As each pin is discharged from belts 50, it engages a switch actuator 55 which when so engaged, operates switch SW11 positioned at the loading or pin receiving station of distributor D. When switch SW11 is operated in this manner, it causes a step by step rotation of distributor D in order to position each empty cup C, of which there are ten, designated C1-C1}? inclusive, in succession at the loading or pin receiving station for deliver of apin thereto by belts 50.

As shown in Figure l, distributor D is disposed between spaced upright side frames 103 of the machine and is conveniently supported on a transverse channel forming apart of a horizontal frame 101 attached at 'its opposite ends to the top members of therespective sired, more or less cups could be provided, or it would be possible to select, only alpo'rtion of the ten cups to fill with pins. In'- theillustrated embodiment, the ten cups C are mounted on a horizontal supporting frame 102 securedto it 'wear sleeve 104k'ey'ed to a vertical shaft S. This shaft is mounted in upper and lower bearings 106, 108 (Figure 7 11) in a gear box B enclosing the upper portion of shaft S. Box B is attached by lugs 110 to the web of cross channel 100. It will be seen, therefore, that in effect, distributor D is carried solely by shaft S through the connections described. The pin-retaining devices C each have a bottom end portion and an open, upper pin entry portion, the bottom end portions being spaced to define a triangle lying transversely of shaft S, and the upper pin entry portions allbeing' spaced from shaft S by substantially the same distance. Thus, while the bottom end portions of devices C are triangularly arranged, the upper pin entry portions liegenerally along a circular path centered on shaft S.. V g

Beneath frame 102, shaft S rotatively supports on bearing 112 and a hub 113 ofa pin supporting spider 114 provided with a plurality of radial arms 115 v havingplatforms P1-P4 inclusive and P6-P10 inclusive, which are operatively associated with cups C1-C4 inclusive and C6-C10 inclusive of distributor D in a manner to support and retain pins in these cups during the collection of a set of ten pins in distributor D and until they are delivered therefrom. At the appropriate time, relative separating movement between frame 102 and spider 114 effects the discharge or release of all pins in cups C1-C10 inclusive substantially simultaneously through the bottom of the cups directly into triangularly arranged pin spotting devices or funnels F of spotting-respotting table T, as described hereinafter. v

Distributor cups Cl-CIO, as illustrated, are of three different forms. Cups C1, C7, and'C10 each comprises a substantially upright semi-cylindrical half section 116, to the inner side edges of which is attached a relatively short flaring section 118. Cups-C2, C3, C4, C6, C8, and C9 are of offset funnel or flaring form such that each of these cups has one-half or the inner portion thereof of semi-cylindrical form, as indicated at 120 in Figure 7. The remaining portion 122 of each of these cups flares progressively downwardly and inwardly from the top. In both sets of cups described thus far, the lowerend of C3, except that its opposite side-walls 128 are parallel. Cup C5 is located in the space between cups C8 and C9 and is therefore closer to said cups than the remaining cups are to each other. Pivotally attached at 130 to the lower edge of the front inclined wall of cup C5, is a trap door 129 which normally is held in closed position by a cam 154, tobe described hereinafter, so that a pin in cup C5 is held in the inclined position illustrated in Figure 11. 7

Referring to Figure 7, it will be seen that the longitudinal axes of the several cups C1C10 inclusive are disposed along lines forming avsubstantially equilateral triangle with the axis of each of the cups C1, C7 and C10 located at an apex of the triangle. The triangle, .however, isof somewhat smaller dimensions than the triangle defining the pattern'in which the pins are arranged in the several pin setting devicesF for deposit on alley A therebelow;

As mentioned hereinabove, shaftS .is' driven intermittently in order to move cups C1-C10 inclusive to and from pin delivery position adjacent the discharge end of pin conveying belts 50. Thedrive for shaft S is ob tained from a shaft 96, preferably rotating continuously '(see Figures 1 2, 5 and 6) and driven from a motor (not shown). Shaft 96 is attached by means of a suitable coupling 170 to jack shaft 172 mounted in bearings 174'secured to fitting 176 attached to the rear vertical flange of channel 100; Mounted on jack shaft 172 is a pulley 178 about which runs a belt 180 tracking pulley 182 fixed to the driving section of a one-revolution clutch 184 which can be of any wellknown standard type,

such as a #2 Hilliard clutch. The driven element of jclutch 184 is secured to .shaft 186 which is supported in bearings 188 of gear box Bmounted on channel 100. Clutch 184 may be caused to impart a single revolution to shaft 186-; -by means of an intermittently actuated the flaring portions 118 and 122respectively, terminates in a short semi-cylindrical section which, with the opposed adjacent portion of the remaining section 116 or 112, forms a circular bottom or mouth 124-see Figures 7 and 11. All the months 124 are of a diameter only slightly larger than the maximum diameter o-f a pin. Because of this construction, when pins arestanding in the cups supported by their respective platforms P1- P4 and P6-P10, such as shown in Figure 11 fonexample, the

-maximum diameter of each pin supported is closely' encircled by the circular mouths 124 of these cups, whereby the pins are held in substantially upright position sup ported by the pin supporting platforms of spider 114. It will be noted that in cups C1, C7, and C10, the lower portions of their sections 116 extend below the cylindrical mouth portions 124, as indicated at 126 in Figure 11,

the inner. edges of these lower portions being cut off diagonally as shown. Similarly, portions 120 of cups C2, C3, C4, C6, C8, 'and C9 have downwardly tapered extensions 127 projecting inwardly, disposed beneath circular mouth portion 124 thereof. The projections 126 and 127assist in guiding pins, when discharged from the cups mentioned, into their respective funnels F on. table T. These'projections also prevent the pins from, being carried frornunderthe pins during intended relative motion between platforms P'and cups C. Platforms Pare prefer Cup C5 is usedforfdirec ting a pinitoithe numbers solenoid S2 mounted on bracket 192 attached to a vertical flange of channel 100. Armature 194 of solenoid S2 is connected bylink 196to a latch lever 198 pivoted at 199 on bracket 200 also secured to channel 100.

The free end of lever 198, as shown in Figure 5, is engageable with a stop shoulder 202 on clutch cam 204, and when so engaged, clutch 184 is disconnected and no drive is imparted to shaft 186. When solenoid S2 is energized v momentarily, lever 198 is disconnected from shoulder 202 of clutch cam 204, whereupon the clutch is thrown in and shaft 186 is driven in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 5. As soon as solenoid S2 is de-energized, spring 203, which encircles pivot 199 and has one end pressing against lever 198, urges lever 198 back into engagement with stop-shoulder 202 of cam 204, thereby disengaging with the'platforms P allowing theplatforms-to slide out clutch 184 when shoulder 202 abuts the end of lever 198. .Pivot19'9 also swingably supports a latch lug 205, the free hook-shaped end of which engages with a cam 207, which may be integral with cam 204, mounted onshaft 186. Cam 207 is provided with a stop shoulder 209, Figure 5. A tensionspring 21 1 also'encircling pivot 199 and-acting upon latch lug 205'assures a'constant contact of the latter with cam 207 and causes the hookshaped free end of lug 205 to engageflwith stop shoulder 209 of'cam 205 after each revolution of clutch 184', thus preventing any reverse filled, locat'edfat pin'receiving station, "to cup C9, the next 7 position or center spot of the required't'riangularpin pattern. Theoverallgshape ,ofcup C5, as illu'strat'ed in Fig re) 1 i s asta lmhs-saszs I}??? 09992??? e cup to be filled, one revolution. In indexing 'cups;C9,.

Cltl, C6, C3, C1, C2, C4,, C7 and C8 two revolutionsof lclutch 184 are required to presenteach of 111855211125 servant proper sequence for delivery of a pin thereto. In moving cups C8 and C into pin delivery position, one revolution Of clutch 184 is required. These movements are obtained by the properselection of the ratios of the gears 206, 208, 214 and 216, Figure 6, in accordance with the cup spacing on the distributor.

As previously stated, as each pin is delivered from conveying belts 50 into a distributor cup C, it engages actuator 55 which causes an actuation of switch SW11 which results in the energization of solenoid S2, thereby effecting a partial rotation of shaft S in order to index and bring succeeding cups into line with the ends of conveying belts 50. This action, while initiated by switch SW11, is further controlled by a cycling cam and related switches to be described more in detail hereinafter in such a manner as to accomplish successively either one or two revolutions of clutch 184 as noted above.

Figures 6 and 11 disclose mechanism for driving shaft S. This includes a bevel gear 206 attached to driven shaft 186 at the remote end of clutch 184. Gear 206 meshes with a bevel gear 208 mounted on a vertical shaft 210 which is mounted in suitable bearings (not shown) in the upper and lower portions of gear box B. Also attached to the upper portion of shaft 210, above bevel gear 208, is a spur gear 214 engaging with a larger spur gear 216 on shaft S. The ratio of the bevel gears 206 and 208 effects .a 3 to 1 reduction, and the ratio of spur gears 214 and 216 effects an additional reduction of 6 to 1. The overall result is a reduction or drive ratio of 18 to 1 between clutch 184 and shaft S. Therefore, in view of the summation of the required revolutions of clutch 184 as noted above, it is evident that 18 revolutions of clutch 184 are required in order to complete one distributing cycle of shaft S and distributor frame 102 attached thereto which supports pin holding cups C1-C10 inclusive.

The numberof revolutions required is tabulated as follows:

Indexing movement Revolutions From- To- C5 C9 1 Ca Cm 2 C Cs 2 Ca C 2 2 C1 2 1 C2 2 C1 C4 2 C4 C1 2 C7 Ca 2 Ca C5 1 TotaLlS AS shown'in Figure 7 and 11, each of the ten cups Cit-C10 inclusive is attached to frame 102 by means of a pair of clips 134 secured to the outer face of each cup. When shaft S is rotated intermittently, the ten cups C1-C10 are moved in succession to pin receiving position adjacent the delivery ends of belts 50, as mentioned hereinabove. In Figure 7 it will be observed that the outer extremities of all of the cups C have been arranged to come up close to the pin discharge point of belts 50 and therefore there is little likelihood that pins delivered from belts 50 will not be deposited within each cup as it is presented for filling.

Spider 114, provided with the pin supports or supporting platforms P1-P4 and P6.P10 previously described,

is yieldingly held by means of a spring 142 in pin supporting position by the engagement of step 144 on distributor frame 102 with stop 146 on-spider 114, see Figure 9. One end of spring. 142 is secured to a stud 148 projecting from the bottom of distributor frame 102; its other end is attached to a stud 150 on spider 114, as shown in Figure 11. Spider 114 is also provided with 'a frame extension 152 which when pins are held in cups C1-C10by means of cam 154', maintains door 129 0)? cup C5 in pin supporting pos'i!" retained in the notch 167a, of plate 167 by a spring 1x181; 1 pulling on the"latch,Figure*1 1. This arrangement is tion (Figure 11). Thus when there is relativeim'ovement between spider 114 and frame 102, cam 154 is moved out of engagement with follower 132, and door 129 can move downwardly and return upwardly and thereby permits the discharge of a pin from cup C5 into its respective pin spotting device. C am 154, mentioned hereinabove, 'is fixed to the top of frame portion 152 in position to cooperate with a cam roller 132 mounted on an arm 131 on door 129-see Figure 11.

As seen in plan view in Figure 7, the counter-clockwise step by step motion of distributor frame .102 and its cups C1-C10 inclusive relative to spider 114 and its pin supporting platforms P1- P4 and P6-P10, causes a movement of cups C1-Cl0 away from the pin supporting platforms, such that the pins are no longer supported by any of the platforms also roller 132 rolls along and off the face of cam 154, which allows door 129 to drop down and pin No; 5 to be discharged from cup C5. In this manner, all ten pins are discharged substantially simultaneously from their respective distributor cups C1-'- C10 into the pin spotting table T, such discharge occurring after all of the pins have been'disposed in the cups of the distributor.

A detailed step by step description of the operation of distributor D in receiving ten pins and at the proper time in its operative cycle, effecting the discharge of these pins to table T is as'follows:

The first pin to be delivered from belts 50 strikes against actuator 55 and causes actuation of switch SW11 as the pin falls into cup C5. The actuation of switch SW11 causes distributor-frame 102 to be moved in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown by the arrow XX, Figures 2 and 7, so that when the indexing movement ceases, cup C9 is aligned with delivery belts 50 awaiting delivery thereinto of the next pin conveyed by belts 50. If desired, a suitable electrical or mechanical delay may be associated with switch SW11 in order to provide additional time for each pin to settle in each cup. As this pin is discharged from belts 50, thereby striking actuator 55, and actuating switch SW11 as it falls into cup C9, it sets into operation the indexing mechanism which causes distributor frame 102 again to be indexed in such manner as to locate cup C10 at the pin receiving position adjacent the discharge end of belts 50 awaiting delivery of the next pin of the set thereinto. The third and all successive pins to and including the tenth pin, cause the operation of the indexing mechanism to occur successively for loading cups C6, C3, C1, C2, C4, C7 and C8 which receives the last of the set of ten pins to be delivered by. delivery belts 50 to distributor D. '2

The foregoing arrangement includes a yielding hold between the distributor and spider 114 for limiting counterclockwise motion of the spider relative to the distributor at the desired time in the cycle of operation. However, except when relative motion between'the distributor D andthe spider- 114 is required, it is desirable to provide latch means for locking these two elements together during the step by step motion of both during-delivery of pins into the distributor. Otherwise, due to inertia, the spider 114 might have a tendency to lag each time-the intermittent motion of the parts is initiated, resulting in a prematuredischarge of pins from the distributor cups C.

, Such latch means are illustrated in'Figures 11, 13 and 13A, and compriselthe following mechanismz' Depending from the outer side of'cup' C5, beyond door 129 and "roller 132,55 a latchplate. 167 having a notch 167g therein. 'Pivoted on cam'plate154 isa latch 168 having on its outer end a roller 168a. 'At such times as the distributor D andthe spider 114 are required to move in unison, the innerend'oflatch 168 is re'leasably effectiveduring the firstnine indexing or step by's't'e'p rnotion sjof, the distributor and spider: A "Near'the comple- "doubt the ninth movement just mentioned, suitable latch 

